NRP, PDOIS, UDP,
Independent, The Observer,
The Point, Gambia-Lers,
Concern Citizens of The Gambia,
and Friends of The Gambia
Dear Patriots:
On behalf of GamCarolina, I want to take the opportunity of introducing our
nonprofit organization for redeeming The Gambia from military dictatorship.
With permission from the executive committee of GamCarolina, I am releasing
our organization's manifesto.
Naphiyo,
Comrade,
Muhammad Lamine Jassey-Conteh
CONSTITUTION
OF THE
GAMCAROLINA ORGANIZATION
JULY 30, 2000
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA
GAMCAROLINA ORGANIZATION
PREAMBLE
Under the prevailing political circumstances in The Gambia: detention without
trial, extermination of political opponents, trampling on press freedom, the
absence of a free and fair judicial process, state monopoly of all political
apparatus and the recent student unrest that left many dead, we the
undersigned have resolved to establishing an organization for democratic
change in The Gambia.
The organization shall be called GamCarolina until otherwise change by the
congress of its members and shall be registered under federal law as a
nonprofit legal entity which means that it sue and be sued.
Article 1
The cornerstone of the organization shall be at all times, the promotion of
freedom, human rights and a peaceful democratic change in The Gambia. We
abhor all forms of political violence in The Gambia and we shall refrain from
violence and all its forms at all times.
LOCATION
The headquarters of the organization shall be located in Raleigh,
North Carolina.
Its present address is 4022 Beaufain Street, Raleigh, North
Carolina 27604. The
headquarters may change elsewhere by ordinary resolution of the
membership.
DURATION
The duration of GamCarolina is unlimited. A two-thirds majority may dissolve
it.
Article 11
OBJECTIVES
1. We shall concentrate on the year 2001 elections by advocating for a
united opposition in restoring genuine democracy in The Gambia.
2. Bringing together all Gambians and non-Gambians who are interested
in restoring democratic changes in The Gambia.
3. We shall work with various political organizations or non-governmental
agencies whose main objectives are supporting peaceful
democratic changes in The Gambia.
4. We shall not only support genuine democracy but also sound economic
policies in The Gambia.
Article 111
We oppose all and any form of ethnic/tribal, religious, or regional
organizations, etc., because they help to promote division in our cohesive
society. We know no language grouping because it undermines the very essence
and credibility of our organization. A diverse and unified Gambia is our
objective.
Article 1 V
Membership is open to all Gambians whose beliefs do not contravene the ideals
expressed in Article 11 and 111 above and to all other nationals who share
our objectives of a peaceful democratic change in The Gambia.
Article V
STRUCTURE
Sec. 1. Structure and character determine a lot about an
organization. We
therefore, seek to establish one with exemplary leadership
qualities
that can proudly stand at all times to expose the regime's maladministration
and human rights abuses without fear or favor, affection or ill will.
Therefore, the organization shall consist of:
(1) a President, (2) a Vice President, (3) a Secretary General,
(4) Two Ex-Officio Members, (5) an Auditor General, and
(6) a Treasure.
Sec. 2. Responsibilities: The President is the head of the
organization. He/she shall open and close the
meetings, gatherings or any
function(s) run by the organization. He/she has
authority to delegate responsibility at all times
provided that such delegation does not undermine the
very foundation of our organization.
The Vice President is the President's assistant and
shall in the President's absence perform his/her
duties. The Vice President is also responsible for
logistics and will be planning programs and functions
in connection with the President.
The Treasurer and the Auditor General shall submit a
financial statement to the Vice President before any
meeting, gathering or function(s) so that the Vice
President can be familiarized with the information.
The Secretary General shall clerk all meetings,
gatherings or functions and in his/her absence, the
President can delegate himself/herself or some other
person to take minutes. As a clerk, the Secretary
General shall introduce the President, the Vice
President and members of the executive committee in
all functions. He/she shall correspond and
disseminate information within and outside the
organization.
Ex-Officio Members - they are part of the executive
membership without any official title. They shall
compose of two members who will be elected by the
membership. They shall attend executive meetings
and be assigned additional responsibilities by the
President. The Auditor General shall audit the
accounts of the organization and communicate to the
Vice President who shall familiarize members with
the accounts. The Auditor shall make audit reports.
The Treasurer shall take care of the organization's
bookkeeping, journals, financial statements and
quarterly reports. In short, all the organization's
finances shall be entrusted in the care of the
treasurer.
Article V1
Financial strength and reliability must be maintained if we are to register
progress. Therefore, each member shall contribute a membership fee of twenty
dollars ($20) nonrefundable. There shall also be $20 and $10 monthly
contributions for men and women respectively. These contributions will boost
our financial standing and enable us to participate fully and meaningfully in
The Gambia's democratic crusade. The organization shall have an account with
a local bank in Raleigh, NC with up to four executive signatories. Only
three signatories shall be required for withdrawal. Due to the prevailing
political situation in The Gambia, we the members have agreed to meet every
last Sunday of every month until otherwise change by the membership.
Article V11
Democracy is an expensive endeavor and requires sacrifice and funding. To
facilitate our ideals, we shall therefore tap all avenues to enable us to
collect funds in our endeavor. We shall at appropriate times, send financial
contributions to Gambian opposition parties, especially the year 2001
elections which is fast approaching to help them fight quasi-military
dictatorship. We will encourage all the opposition parties in The Gambia to
come together as a unifying force to get rid of this regime, especially
during the coming elections. We shall also organize fund raising activities,
for example, dinners, parties and yard sales and participate in all forms of
demonstrations, protests, seminars, debates and symposia in our tough battle
for change.
Termination of Membership
Membership shall be terminated under the following conditions: nonpayment of
subscriptions for two months or not following the bylaws of the organization.
Resignation- a member may terminate membership at any time by notifying the
organization at the meeting. An executive member can resign after all the
organization's papers are handed over and a 30-day notice is given to the
organization.
Amendments to the Constitution and Dissolution
No resolution shall be valid unless passed by a two-thirds majority of the
voting members present or represented. Dissolution of the organization shall
be passed by two-thirds majority of the membership and notice shall be sent
to all the members and organizations that have vested interest in our
organization. All assets after dissolution of the organization shall be
given to the opposition parties and non-governmental agencies that are
fighting for a democratic change in The Gambia.
Executives shall be elected by democratic means simply by voting in an open
process.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L
Web interface at: http://maelstrom.stjohns.edu/archives/gambia-l.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
